Guest Wendy Simpson Conner, a bead and jewelry expert, shows how to make a bracelet from memory wire, a coiled thin wire that is used for making jewelry. She then shows several variations, including a bracelet made using a needle.
Memory Wire Bracelet
Materials:
20-inch bracelet coil memory wire
various beads
round needle-nose pliers
wire cutter
Steps:
1. To make a three-coil bracelet, cut out five or six coils from the memory wire.
2. Using the needle-nose pliers, make a loop in one end of the wire.
3. Thread the beads on in any order you desire.
4. With the needle-nose pliers, close the second end by making a loop.
Needle-Woven Charm Bracelet
Materials:
stiff needle for stitching - tapestry, embroidery, or needlepoint needle recommended
two twisted wire needles - to use when adding beads
button, approximately one inch - to be used as the clasp; buttons with a shank work best
lots of beads, charms, etc. - odds and ends
spool of "F" weight silk thread
clipboard - for gripping the bracelet as you work
cellophane tape
Because stitching styles differ, it's impossible to predict how much thread is needed. After you have made a bracelet, you'll be better acquainted with your own style. White will show dirt and wear, so choose a vibrant color that fits in with your color scheme.
Steps:
1. Cut 10 lengths of silk thread, each one yard long. Cut an eleventh piece that's two yards long. Fold over the bundle of 10 threads, and, using the long 11th thread, tie the bundle together with a square knot.
2. You now have 20 strands of thread (the 10 folded over) that form your core. The eleventh thread is used for stitching. You are starting at the buttonhole side. The loop should be close to the size of your button. The size of this loop will shift as you stitch, so you will need to adjust it periodically.
3. Thread your stiff needle with the long piece of the eleventh strand. The short tail can be joined with the core bundle of threads. Holding this in your left hand, stitch through the knot a couple of times to help secure the size. Remember, you can make this buttonhole smaller if needed by stitching, but you cannot cut it to make it larger.
4. Work single thread, in a figure-eight stitch. Don't stitch the loop closed--it needs to remain open. Stitch through the center of the bundle, alternating right and left like a buttonhole stitch (figures A, B and C). Work up the side of the buttonhole. Stitch tightly, and keep your stitches uniform. Continue working all the way around. When you've completed the buttonhole (figure D), you're ready to start the main part of the bracelet.
5. Clip the buttonhole section to the clip board. Stitch in the figure-eight for about 1/4 inch more. You are now ready to add beads. Pull off two strands from the core thread and thread them through the twisted wire needle. String on one bead, remove the needle, and tape these two threads with the bead on them to the clipboard, separate from the remaining bundle. Continue stitching, pulling off other strands (in groups of two) and adding beads or charms, taping them away from the group (figure E).
6. As you weave to the bottom of each bead, weave those strands back into the center bundle. Add your beads at different intervals, so the bracelet has a fuller look (figure F).
7. Add thread as needed by simply tying on a new two-yard length, and letting the tails become part of your bundle.
8. When you are 1/2 inch from the desired length, divide the core threads in half, and cut half of them off at an angle. This is to prevent a bulge when you weave your ends together.
9. Thread a button onto your remaining long core threads. Fold threads over, and stitch them securely.
10. Cement and carefully trim away the excess core threads. If desired, reinforce with extra stitches where you added beads.
Resources beads - Shipwreck
Shipwreck Beads
Olympia, WA
US
Toll Free Phone: 800-950-4232
URL:
www.shipwreck-beads.com
The Best Little Beading Book
by Wendy Simpson Conner (ISBN: 0964595702)
Click
here to order this title.
The Interstellar Publishing Co /Interstellar Trading and Publishing Company
Los Angeles, CA
US
Phone: 310-247-8154
Toll Free Phone: 800-790-8730
Email:
interstlr@aol.com
Guests Wendy Simpson Conner
Author
Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 310-247-8154
Email:
mpromp2@aol.com
Also in this Episode
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